Edna Ruth Mercer (2/1/1929—10/25/2022), age 93, died peacefully in Wilmington, NC, following several weeks of decline. Born in Duplin County, Edna Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, Christian lay minister, youth mentor, businessperson, and lover of plants and flowers.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. Edna Ruth always liked for family and friends to share about their lives, so at the memorial an opportunity will be provided for anyone who wishes to offer a story or reflection about her. The family requests that everyone wear a mask during the memorial and following the memorial while in the building.
Married almost 49 years to Calvin Mercer, Sr., Edna Ruth worked faithfully for decades on their farm and kept the business records. She co-owned and co-managed the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore for many years. The bookstore was a small business in Beulaville, NC, and it was also a prayer and ministry nurture station for so many who dropped by for counsel and support.
Edna Ruth's well of love for people was bottomless. Even if she disagreed with your political and/or religious views, there was never any doubt that she loved you unconditionally.
Her Christian faith was the guiding principle of her life, and she was a faithful member of Cabin Free Will Baptist Church. With the gift of mercy, she had a special love for what the Bible calls the "least of these," remarkably manifesting in her life the words of Matthew 25:35-36, 40. She reached out with her special love to inmates, children in need, lonely souls, and anyone struggling. Her loving heart and caring hands seemed ever present to those in need.
She was biological mother and grandmother to several, but she was the spiritual mother and grandmother to hundreds touched deeply by her sweet spirit. So many have felt in their hearts the love from words like "Honey, I hope you know how much I love you."
People of all ages and stations in life loved "Aunt Ruth" and "Ruth" and were drawn to her for solace. Even the caregivers who knew her only in her final days commented on her sweet spirit and how much they had quickly fallen in love with her.
As wife, mother, grandmother, and host, she was an amazing cook, turning vegetables grown in her lush garden and meat produced on the farm into appetizing dishes. She always prepared a variety of dishes at family gatherings and would make sure everyone had their favorite.
Grandchildren loved spending time each summer at the nurturing "grandmama camp." Although never boastful, Grandmama always beat everyone in the family at Chinese Checkers and Jack Rocks, followed by a charming chuckle.
As much as she loved people, her love for the beauty of nature, especially plants and flowers, was enormous. Year after year, she produced spectacular flower and vegetable gardens. On holidays, family members enjoyed vases of fresh flowers in every room of her house. At her assisted living facility, she was known as the "rose garden caretaker" and "flower lady" who pruned plants and cut selected ones to share with staff and neighbor residents.
Her appreciation of God's incredible creation was not limited to the plant world. She loved animals and gave a wonderful life to many dogs and cats on her Beulaville farm through the years.
Edna Ruth loved to read and read everything—books, magazines, newspapers, signs on the road, the packages of food products, everything—right up to days before her death. Her children remember, as toddlers, crawling up to end tables and finding them full of magazines and books. Bookstore owner/manager was the perfect business for her.
She cared about her health and with any symptom or illness, she always wanted to know the cause and the prevention. She was a "sickly" child and had medical issues throughout her life. That she lived to 93 is a testimony to her love of life as well as her commitment to healthy living.
In her final years and final days, Edna Ruth was lovingly cared for by her family, friends, and caregivers from Champions Assisted Living, Home Instead, and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice. Hospice staff aided her peaceful transition with their unique skills and personalized care.
Edna Ruth is survived by three children, all of whom live in North Carolina--Willa Ruth Wood (husband Randy) of Wilmington, Rex Kendal Mercer (wife Vicki) of Chapel Hill, and Calvin Richard Mercer, Jr. (wife Susan) of Greenville. She has three grandchildren and two god-grandchildren. Willa's daughter, Kristen Sumpter, and her husband Edward, live in Atlanta, GA. Rex and Vicki's son, Kevin, lives in Charlotte, NC, and their daughter, Lisa Yelton, along with her husband Eric, live in Syracuse, NY. Calvin and Susan's godson, Tay Mosley, lives in Goldsboro, and their goddaughter, Mary Thomas, along with her fiancé Mohammed Kameh, live in Knoxville, TN. Her extended family includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Richard Mercer, Sr., her parents, Joel and Annie Kennedy, and her siblings, Edward Earl Kennedy, James David "JD" Kennedy, and Shirley Rudene Kennedy. She missed them all dearly.
Donations can be made to Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community in Wilmington, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice in Wilmington, and Yokefellow Prison Ministry in Goldsboro in honor of Edna Ruth's decades of love and service to inmates in NC prisons.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. Edna Ruth always liked for family and friends to share about their lives, so at the memorial an opportunity will be provided for anyone who wishes to offer a story or reflection about her. The family requests that everyone wear a mask during the memorial and following the memorial while in the building.
Married almost 49 years to Calvin Mercer, Sr., Edna Ruth worked faithfully for decades on their farm and kept the business records. She co-owned and co-managed the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore for many years. The bookstore was a small business in Beulaville, NC, and it was also a prayer and ministry nurture station for so many who dropped by for counsel and support.
Edna Ruth's well of love for people was bottomless. Even if she disagreed with your political and/or religious views, there was never any doubt that she loved you unconditionally.
Her Christian faith was the guiding principle of her life, and she was a faithful member of Cabin Free Will Baptist Church. With the gift of mercy, she had a special love for what the Bible calls the "least of these," remarkably manifesting in her life the words of Matthew 25:35-36, 40. She reached out with her special love to inmates, children in need, lonely souls, and anyone struggling. Her loving heart and caring hands seemed ever present to those in need.
She was biological mother and grandmother to several, but she was the spiritual mother and grandmother to hundreds touched deeply by her sweet spirit. So many have felt in their hearts the love from words like "Honey, I hope you know how much I love you."
People of all ages and stations in life loved "Aunt Ruth" and "Ruth" and were drawn to her for solace. Even the caregivers who knew her only in her final days commented on her sweet spirit and how much they had quickly fallen in love with her.
As wife, mother, grandmother, and host, she was an amazing cook, turning vegetables grown in her lush garden and meat produced on the farm into appetizing dishes. She always prepared a variety of dishes at family gatherings and would make sure everyone had their favorite.
Grandchildren loved spending time each summer at the nurturing "grandmama camp." Although never boastful, Grandmama always beat everyone in the family at Chinese Checkers and Jack Rocks, followed by a charming chuckle.
As much as she loved people, her love for the beauty of nature, especially plants and flowers, was enormous. Year after year, she produced spectacular flower and vegetable gardens. On holidays, family members enjoyed vases of fresh flowers in every room of her house. At her assisted living facility, she was known as the "rose garden caretaker" and "flower lady" who pruned plants and cut selected ones to share with staff and neighbor residents.
Her appreciation of God's incredible creation was not limited to the plant world. She loved animals and gave a wonderful life to many dogs and cats on her Beulaville farm through the years.
Edna Ruth loved to read and read everything—books, magazines, newspapers, signs on the road, the packages of food products, everything—right up to days before her death. Her children remember, as toddlers, crawling up to end tables and finding them full of magazines and books. Bookstore owner/manager was the perfect business for her.
She cared about her health and with any symptom or illness, she always wanted to know the cause and the prevention. She was a "sickly" child and had medical issues throughout her life. That she lived to 93 is a testimony to her love of life as well as her commitment to healthy living.
In her final years and final days, Edna Ruth was lovingly cared for by her family, friends, and caregivers from Champions Assisted Living, Home Instead, and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice. Hospice staff aided her peaceful transition with their unique skills and personalized care.
Edna Ruth is survived by three children, all of whom live in North Carolina--Willa Ruth Wood (husband Randy) of Wilmington, Rex Kendal Mercer (wife Vicki) of Chapel Hill, and Calvin Richard Mercer, Jr. (wife Susan) of Greenville. She has three grandchildren and two god-grandchildren. Willa's daughter, Kristen Sumpter, and her husband Edward, live in Atlanta, GA. Rex and Vicki's son, Kevin, lives in Charlotte, NC, and their daughter, Lisa Yelton, along with her husband Eric, live in Syracuse, NY. Calvin and Susan's godson, Tay Mosley, lives in Goldsboro, and their goddaughter, Mary Thomas, along with her fiancé Mohammed Kameh, live in Knoxville, TN. Her extended family includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Richard Mercer, Sr., her parents, Joel and Annie Kennedy, and her siblings, Edward Earl Kennedy, James David "JD" Kennedy, and Shirley Rudene Kennedy. She missed them all dearly.
Donations can be made to Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community in Wilmington, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice in Wilmington, and Yokefellow Prison Ministry in Goldsboro in honor of Edna Ruth's decades of love and service to inmates in NC prisons.
Edna Ruth Mercer (2/1/1929—10/25/2022), age 93, died peacefully in Wilmington, NC, following several weeks of decline. Born in Duplin County, Edna Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, Christian lay minister, youth mentor, businessperson, and lover of plants and flowers.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. Edna Ruth always liked for family and friends to share about their lives, so at the memorial an opportunity will be provided for anyone who wishes to offer a story or reflection about her. The family requests that everyone wear a mask during the memorial and following the memorial while in the building.
Married almost 49 years to Calvin Mercer, Sr., Edna Ruth worked faithfully for decades on their farm and kept the business records. She co-owned and co-managed the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore for many years. The bookstore was a small business in Beulaville, NC, and it was also a prayer and ministry nurture station for so many who dropped by for counsel and support.
Edna Ruth's well of love for people was bottomless. Even if she disagreed with your political and/or religious views, there was never any doubt that she loved you unconditionally.
Her Christian faith was the guiding principle of her life, and she was a faithful member of Cabin Free Will Baptist Church. With the gift of mercy, she had a special love for what the Bible calls the "least of these," remarkably manifesting in her life the words of Matthew 25:35-36, 40. She reached out with her special love to inmates, children in need, lonely souls, and anyone struggling. Her loving heart and caring hands seemed ever present to those in need.
She was biological mother and grandmother to several, but she was the spiritual mother and grandmother to hundreds touched deeply by her sweet spirit. So many have felt in their hearts the love from words like "Honey, I hope you know how much I love you."
People of all ages and stations in life loved "Aunt Ruth" and "Ruth" and were drawn to her for solace. Even the caregivers who knew her only in her final days commented on her sweet spirit and how much they had quickly fallen in love with her.
As wife, mother, grandmother, and host, she was an amazing cook, turning vegetables grown in her lush garden and meat produced on the farm into appetizing dishes. She always prepared a variety of dishes at family gatherings and would make sure everyone had their favorite.
Grandchildren loved spending time each summer at the nurturing "grandmama camp." Although never boastful, Grandmama always beat everyone in the family at Chinese Checkers and Jack Rocks, followed by a charming chuckle.
As much as she loved people, her love for the beauty of nature, especially plants and flowers, was enormous. Year after year, she produced spectacular flower and vegetable gardens. On holidays, family members enjoyed vases of fresh flowers in every room of her house. At her assisted living facility, she was known as the "rose garden caretaker" and "flower lady" who pruned plants and cut selected ones to share with staff and neighbor residents.
Her appreciation of God's incredible creation was not limited to the plant world. She loved animals and gave a wonderful life to many dogs and cats on her Beulaville farm through the years.
Edna Ruth loved to read and read everything—books, magazines, newspapers, signs on the road, the packages of food products, everything—right up to days before her death. Her children remember, as toddlers, crawling up to end tables and finding them full of magazines and books. Bookstore owner/manager was the perfect business for her.
She cared about her health and with any symptom or illness, she always wanted to know the cause and the prevention. She was a "sickly" child and had medical issues throughout her life. That she lived to 93 is a testimony to her love of life as well as her commitment to healthy living.
In her final years and final days, Edna Ruth was lovingly cared for by her family, friends, and caregivers from Champions Assisted Living, Home Instead, and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice. Hospice staff aided her peaceful transition with their unique skills and personalized care.
Edna Ruth is survived by three children, all of whom live in North Carolina--Willa Ruth Wood (husband Randy) of Wilmington, Rex Kendal Mercer (wife Vicki) of Chapel Hill, and Calvin Richard Mercer, Jr. (wife Susan) of Greenville. She has three grandchildren and two god-grandchildren. Willa's daughter, Kristen Sumpter, and her husband Edward, live in Atlanta, GA. Rex and Vicki's son, Kevin, lives in Charlotte, NC, and their daughter, Lisa Yelton, along with her husband Eric, live in Syracuse, NY. Calvin and Susan's godson, Tay Mosley, lives in Goldsboro, and their goddaughter, Mary Thomas, along with her fiancé Mohammed Kameh, live in Knoxville, TN. Her extended family includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Richard Mercer, Sr., her parents, Joel and Annie Kennedy, and her siblings, Edward Earl Kennedy, James David "JD" Kennedy, and Shirley Rudene Kennedy. She missed them all dearly.
Donations can be made to Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community in Wilmington, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice in Wilmington, and Yokefellow Prison Ministry in Goldsboro in honor of Edna Ruth's decades of love and service to inmates in NC prisons.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. Edna Ruth always liked for family and friends to share about their lives, so at the memorial an opportunity will be provided for anyone who wishes to offer a story or reflection about her. The family requests that everyone wear a mask during the memorial and following the memorial while in the building.
Married almost 49 years to Calvin Mercer, Sr., Edna Ruth worked faithfully for decades on their farm and kept the business records. She co-owned and co-managed the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore for many years. The bookstore was a small business in Beulaville, NC, and it was also a prayer and ministry nurture station for so many who dropped by for counsel and support.
Edna Ruth's well of love for people was bottomless. Even if she disagreed with your political and/or religious views, there was never any doubt that she loved you unconditionally.
Her Christian faith was the guiding principle of her life, and she was a faithful member of Cabin Free Will Baptist Church. With the gift of mercy, she had a special love for what the Bible calls the "least of these," remarkably manifesting in her life the words of Matthew 25:35-36, 40. She reached out with her special love to inmates, children in need, lonely souls, and anyone struggling. Her loving heart and caring hands seemed ever present to those in need.
She was biological mother and grandmother to several, but she was the spiritual mother and grandmother to hundreds touched deeply by her sweet spirit. So many have felt in their hearts the love from words like "Honey, I hope you know how much I love you."
People of all ages and stations in life loved "Aunt Ruth" and "Ruth" and were drawn to her for solace. Even the caregivers who knew her only in her final days commented on her sweet spirit and how much they had quickly fallen in love with her.
As wife, mother, grandmother, and host, she was an amazing cook, turning vegetables grown in her lush garden and meat produced on the farm into appetizing dishes. She always prepared a variety of dishes at family gatherings and would make sure everyone had their favorite.
Grandchildren loved spending time each summer at the nurturing "grandmama camp." Although never boastful, Grandmama always beat everyone in the family at Chinese Checkers and Jack Rocks, followed by a charming chuckle.
As much as she loved people, her love for the beauty of nature, especially plants and flowers, was enormous. Year after year, she produced spectacular flower and vegetable gardens. On holidays, family members enjoyed vases of fresh flowers in every room of her house. At her assisted living facility, she was known as the "rose garden caretaker" and "flower lady" who pruned plants and cut selected ones to share with staff and neighbor residents.
Her appreciation of God's incredible creation was not limited to the plant world. She loved animals and gave a wonderful life to many dogs and cats on her Beulaville farm through the years.
Edna Ruth loved to read and read everything—books, magazines, newspapers, signs on the road, the packages of food products, everything—right up to days before her death. Her children remember, as toddlers, crawling up to end tables and finding them full of magazines and books. Bookstore owner/manager was the perfect business for her.
She cared about her health and with any symptom or illness, she always wanted to know the cause and the prevention. She was a "sickly" child and had medical issues throughout her life. That she lived to 93 is a testimony to her love of life as well as her commitment to healthy living.
In her final years and final days, Edna Ruth was lovingly cared for by her family, friends, and caregivers from Champions Assisted Living, Home Instead, and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice. Hospice staff aided her peaceful transition with their unique skills and personalized care.
Edna Ruth is survived by three children, all of whom live in North Carolina--Willa Ruth Wood (husband Randy) of Wilmington, Rex Kendal Mercer (wife Vicki) of Chapel Hill, and Calvin Richard Mercer, Jr. (wife Susan) of Greenville. She has three grandchildren and two god-grandchildren. Willa's daughter, Kristen Sumpter, and her husband Edward, live in Atlanta, GA. Rex and Vicki's son, Kevin, lives in Charlotte, NC, and their daughter, Lisa Yelton, along with her husband Eric, live in Syracuse, NY. Calvin and Susan's godson, Tay Mosley, lives in Goldsboro, and their goddaughter, Mary Thomas, along with her fiancé Mohammed Kameh, live in Knoxville, TN. Her extended family includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Richard Mercer, Sr., her parents, Joel and Annie Kennedy, and her siblings, Edward Earl Kennedy, James David "JD" Kennedy, and Shirley Rudene Kennedy. She missed them all dearly.
Donations can be made to Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community in Wilmington, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice in Wilmington, and Yokefellow Prison Ministry in Goldsboro in honor of Edna Ruth's decades of love and service to inmates in NC prisons.
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